Structural unit



Aug. 14, 1928.

D. H. BITNEY STRUCTURAL UNIT Original Filed Nov. 25, 1925 7 INVENTOR Dewey Biz/1e A ro/m5 m Patented Aug. 14, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

DEWEY H. IBITNEY, OF ALBION, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR T0 UNION STEEL PRODUCTS COKPANY, OF .ALBION, MICHIGAN.

STRUCTURAL UNIT.

Original application filed November 25, 1925, Serial li'o. 70,865. Divided and this application filed August 6, 1926. Serial, No. 127,573.

This invention relates to improvements in structural units of the type illustrated in my application for Letters Patent Serial No. 70,865, filed November 25, 1925, this application being a division thereof.

The main object of this invention is to provide an improved structural unit for beams, joists and the like which is adapted to be handled and installed as a complete unit and is well adapted to withstand the stresses to which it is subjected and consti- 1tJuting means for supporting the reinforcing ars.

Objects pertaining to details and economies of my invention will definitely appear from the detailed description to follow. The invention is clearly defined and pointed out in the claims.

A structure embod ing the features of my invention is clearly i lustrated in the accompanying drawing forming a part of this applicat on, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a structural unit embodying my improvements.

Fig. 2 is a vertical section on a line corresponding to line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a detail sectional view showing one relation of my improved structural unit in-use, the unit being sectioned as in Fig. 2.

Referring to the drawing my improved structural unit comprises a .plurality of U- shaped stirrup elements 1 disposed in s aced relation, these elements being formed 0 rods bent to U-shape and having, in the embodiment illustrated, laterally turned ends 2. These stirrup elements are rigidly secured upon the longitudinal spacing and supportrelation by means of the side longitudinal rods 5 which are ri idly secured to the arms of the stirrup mem%ers adjacent their upper ends by welding thereto.

The hooks or laterally turned ends 2 are, in the embodiment illustrated, disposed longitudinally of the unit so that the transverse reinforcing bars 6 may be engaged under the same, the longitudinal reinforcing bars i'i beigg arranged in the stirrups as shown in By arranging the longitudinal rods 5 on the outside as shown in the accompanying drawing, a plurality of units may be nested quite compactly.

My improved reinforcing units are economical to produce and are capable of very Wide use, being quickly and easily placed in the forms and the parts being so secured together that likelihood of errors arising from carelessness or inattention of the workman are minimized. The parts are so disposed that the unit is well adapted as a reinforcing element as well as a supporting or positionin element for the reinforcing bars.

aving thus described my invention What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

A structural unit comprising a plurality of U-shaped elements disposed in vertically spaced relation, and a pair of longitudinally disposed supporting rods disposed below and welded to the bottom cross piece of said U- shaped elements, said supporting rods having downwardly projecting loops therein disposed between certain of said U-shaped elements providing supporting legs for the unit and longitudinalside rods welded to said U-shaped elements adjacent their upper ends, said bottom and side longitudinal members coacting to rigidly support said U-shaped elements in spaced upright relation.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

DEWEY H. BITNEY. 

